Page 135 of Unexpected Entanglement

Charlotte nodded approvingly. “You have a smart sister here.”

“I lucked out,” Rowan agreed.

She and Kieran had started introducing Rae as their sister without giving an explanation. They decided they didn’t careabout the speculations, and so far nobody had made a big deal about it. Not when they had Charlotte Gibbes’ nod of approval.

When the group of ladies finally left, Rae’s face broke into a huge, relieved grin. “I think that was a successful luncheon, huh?”

“Rae, that was a brilliant move.” Rowan hugged her sister.

“It’s not all my idea. Chris was telling me about your vision at Scent-sational last Friday, when Charlotte and Ada overheard us. I invited them to come, but Chris suggested they bring their whole group of friends. Wives of businessmen have more influence on their husbands than most people expect.”

“That’s true,” a masculine voice chimed in from behind them.

They both spun to Rae’s husband, Dean, and their one-year-old daughter, Maya. They had arrived on the island on Monday to a still chaotic situation.

“The ladies enjoyed their luncheon, I gather?” Dean asked.

“They did,” Rowan said.

“Many of those ladies are business owners themselves. They see the value that Bright Head can bring in,” Rae said. “Chris saw that.”

“He’s a genius in making connections with people,” Dean said.

The reminder of Chris clouded Rowan’s earlier sunny mood, but she covered it with another smile. She hadn’t communicated with Chris since he’d left on Sunday. But she’d heard enough of second hand news about him from either Kieran, Rae, or Dean.

It was naive of her to think if he wasn’t here, she wouldn’t feel his presence. Rae would always be a connection between Chris and Rowan. Even if they managed to avoid each other throughout their lifetime, there was no way she wouldn’t hear one thing or another about Chris Sullens.

Rowan wondered how she’d feel when she heard news of him being engaged for real in the future? Because that would happen, eventually.

You’ve made your bed, Rowan. Lie in it.

Brushing Chris from her mind, Rowan reached for the cutie-pie that was her niece. “Hey Maya, you want to see my kitty cats?”

“Kitty cats.” Rae laughed and nudged her husband. “You gotta see these creatures she calls kitty cats.”

Dean handed Maya to Rowan. “What’s so special about them?”

“They’re super smart,” Rowan beat Rae to the punch.

“They’re huge!” Rae continued to say with a laugh.

“Let’s go look for them, shall we?” Rowan said to Maya. Before they could go too far, a utility cart rolled up.

Kieran jumped out and went straight to Maya. “How’s my favorite niece today?”

Rowan grinned, seeing how his brother had fallen head over heels in love with Maya. She’d never thought Kieran would gravitate to the child so much.

After he made Maya giggle, Kieran gave a nod to Dean and turned to Rae.

“How did the lunch go?” he asked.

“It went great. We got their support,” Rae reported.

Kieran nodded with an impressed smirk. “Not bad, sis.”

Rowan saw how the simple word made Rae beam a little brighter.

Dad, are you seeing this?

---